Being Yourself & Speaking Your Truth

I have spent most of my life trying to be something I'm not. I listened to the Nay sayers and who they said I was supposed to be. I will admit, while some of the negativity was coming from verbally abusive ex's and non friends, the majority of negativity was coming from...me. Most of my twenties I battled with my self and what I believed. Telling myself that I wasn't allowed to do the things I liked because of my age, place in life, or becuase of what I "had" to be. I was saying the usual, "If I was skinnier my life would be this way. If I was prettier I would be able to get what I want out of this situation." It wasn't until I got closer to thirty that I began my leap of faith into me. I started doing more and more of the things that I loved. There are still battles with guilt, insecurities, bad days with chocolate and Disney. Hey I'm human, and with a little help from my friends I'm able to get back on track.

On my thirtieth birthday I made a promise to myself to practice speaking my truth and being myself in the up coming year, (my birthday is in January, makes yearly planning very easy). Not apoligizing for who I am, what I believed in and how I felt about things. What is speaking your truth? Speaking your truth is about being honest with yourself. Releasing that which does not serve you and attracting that which makes you grow. It takes hard work and dedication to your self and your own personal well being. Yes, there are tons of tough days, but these are the days that will give you the most education. When you hit a bump in the road it is a catalyst and reminder of going back, checking in with your self, doing the exercises that center and ground you.

Ways to Practice Being Yourself & Speaking Your Truth

Stop Apoligizing For who you are, what you believe in and how you feel. It is your mind, your heart and your spirit. What makes you happy might not make someone else happy. If another person has lack and insecurities in life, then they will be inclined to be jealous of you. This will cause comments, jeers and negative reactions to things that make YOU smile. Understand that this has nothing to do with you.

Learn to say No When you feel uncomfortable in a situation. Saying no is one of those words that is so small but so very powerful. As a natural born people pleaser I have had the toughest time overcoming my fear of saying no. It's tough becuase you feel as if by saying no to someone, (especially someong close) you are letting them down or upsetting them. While sometimes yes they will be upset, but think of it this way, being upset to make others happy in the end will only upset everyone.

Being Honest With yourself and others. What do you really want? Want out of life, spirituality, career, relationships. When you start to dig beneath the surface and debris of your outer layers, what do you find? being honest with your self is one of the first steps to a healthier, happier lifestyle. Most of the time we are clogged with thoughts, ideas, branding, views, etc. of others. What your parents want from you, friends, boss and so on and so forth.

"You" Time Spending more time with yourself doing the positive things that you love, helps the body, mind and soul. Allowing yourself to read the next chapter in that book, watch a movie, do yoga, spend a few minutes meditating, calming your mind. Spending time investing in you gives you the tools to find the things that make you, you.